Office of the Historian

297. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State1

Saigon, August 27, 1963, 4 p.m.

[document number not declassified] Reference: Department telegram 249.2 I believe only fair answer at this time to three questions in [Page 651] numbered paragraph 2 reference telegram is that we do not know. A further meeting with Khiem is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and Minh may be seen at same time or soon thereafter. Information bearing on your questions may emerge from this meeting, but it may not. As of now, there are no signs, apart from Khiem’s receptiveness to initial approach, that these or any other generals are really prepared to act against the government. (See separate message CAS channels for further details).3

Unless and until we receive some sure sign of willingness and power to act, I believe it would be both pointless and dangerous to query generals about alternate leadership candidates. If meeting this afternoon develops favorably, however, soundings will be made.

Since above drafted have received CAS report [document number not declassified]suggesting Minh may be moving.

Lodge
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, INF 8 US. Top Secret; Eyes Only; handling indicator not declassified. Relayed by the Department of State to the White House, CIA, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.↩
  2. Document 293.↩
  3. According to telegram 352 from Saigon, August 27, this reference is to Document 299. (Department of State, Central Files, INF 8 US)↩